Bill > H29

This bill amends North Carolina laws related to alcohol and tobacco sales to explicitly recognize tribal enrollment cards as valid forms of identification for age verification when purchasing these products. Specifically, the bill modifies two existing statutes: one governing alcohol sales (G.S. 18B-302) and another regulating tobacco product sales (G.S. 14-313). Under the new provisions, a tribal enrollment card issued by a state or federally recognized Indian Tribe can now be used as acceptable proof of age, alongside existing forms of identification like driver's licenses, military IDs, and passports. This means that sellers can use tribal enrollment cards as a legal defense if they are challenged for selling alcohol or tobacco to someone, provided the card demonstrates the purchaser is of legal age and includes a physical description. The bill will become effective on December 1, 2025, and will apply to offenses and purchases made on or after that date, effectively expanding the types of identification that can be used to verify age when purchasing age-restricted products in North Carolina.

Government Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H29